No Strings Attached

Chapter 10

Even after that conversation with Logan, I still felt like he wasn't telling me the whole truth. There was clearly something going on in his apartment. And I intended to find out.

The next day, in chemistry, things were less awkward between my lab partner and I. We actually discussed what our project due in a month would be based on, and traded phone numbers so we could reach each other—even though the only thing separating me from him was a plaster ceiling. In the end, we decided on proving that combining hydrochloric acid with sodium bicarbonate and put that into water can create salt water. It's a very easy experiment, but it looks really impressive. Plus it's really funny to see your classmates and your teacher watch in fear as you gulp down a bunch of acid you put in a glass.

I suggested going to his place after school on Friday to start on it, but he objected a little too quickly. That's when I was convinced he was keeping something from me. So we settled on my apartment after I gave him a skeptical eyebrow-raise.

"I can walk home with you if you want," I offered, and then blushed as it sounded a little forward. "I mean...so you don't have to bother knocking on my door and stuff."

He looked away, but was smiling slightly. "Yeah, sure. That'd be cool."

I glanced down at my open lab notebook and tried not to smile. Oh, my God. What am I doing!?

Soon, the bell rang. I gathered my stuff and had my hand on the door when Logan called out to me, "Hold on. Do you..."

I stared at him in expectation.

"Would you like to..." He stared at the ground. Why is he acting so nervous? "Well, I was wondering if you..."

Oh, God. Is he asking me out?

"Want to sit with me at lunch?" he asked.

I almost sighed in relief, but caught myself. "I'd love to."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dr. Tucker suppressing a smile behind his desk.

--

"So," Logan said as we sat down at a table by ourselves, "where do you come from?"

"Wyoming," I told him. "I moved here a couple weeks ago."

"Oh? What brought you to the big city?"

I tensed up a little. There was no way I could have told him the real reason. "Dad got a job at the University."

He looked impressed. "Cool. How do you like it?"

"Well, coming from the least populated state in America, it's quite the change."

He chuckled a little. "I can imagine. Have any brothers or sisters?"

"Nope," I sighed. "Just me."

"That must be nice. I have a nine year old little brother who won't shut up about anything!" he complained.

"Eh, it's alright. I kind of wish I had someone to keep me company while Dad's working," I replied.

"What about your mom?" he asked innocently.

But I got upset anyway. I stayed quiet for a moment.

"Shit," I heard him mutter under his breath.

I swallowed my bit of salad. "She died."

Next to me, Logan regretted asking that by clenching and unclenching his fists. "I'm sorry, Tegan."

"It's fine," I said bitterly. "You didn't know." I took another forkful of my salad and ate without making eye contact with him.